Little Italy
Little Italy is a large and vibrant Italian community here in San Diego that holds numerous of special events and festivities throughout the year. It used to be a predominate Italian fishing community after many Italians relocated here after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. In the 1970s, the tuna industry declined and the construction of Interstate 5 slowly caused the Italian community to decline. Fortunately in the early 1990s, a group of dedicated residents and local business owners helped transform the area into today's Little Italy.
Little Italy is a large and vibrant Italian community here in San Diego that holds numerous of special events and festivities throughout the year. It used to be a predominate Italian fishing community after many Italians relocated here after the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. In the 1970s, the tuna industry declined and the construction of Interstate 5 slowly caused the Italian community to decline. Fortunately in the early 1990s, a group of dedicated residents and local business owners helped transform the area into today's Little Italy.
Some of the exciting Italian festivals that take place are the following:
Little Italy Carnevale in February, the Art Walk in May, and the Italian Motorsport Show in September. Precious Festa is held here in October and it's one of the largest Italian Festivals outside of New York City!
If you miss any of these celebrations, Little Italy has more to offer such as plenty of delicious and authentic Italian restaurants as well as boutiques and shops.
For more information, visit the Little Italy website
Little Italy Carnevale in February, the Art Walk in May, and the Italian Motorsport Show in September. Precious Festa is held here in October and it's one of the largest Italian Festivals outside of New York City!
If you miss any of these celebrations, Little Italy has more to offer such as plenty of delicious and authentic Italian restaurants as well as boutiques and shops.
For more information, visit the Little Italy website
Getting to Little Italy is very accessible by foot and by car. If plan on going by foot, taking the Trolley is the best option since Little Italy has its own Trolley stop.
Take either the Blue Line or Orange Line Trolley to 12 and Imperial Transit Center. From there take the Green Line Trolley to County Center/Little Italy. (If taking the Trolley from City College or somewhere in Downtown, take the Orange Line Trolley to Santa Fe Depot and take the Green Line Trolley there.
Once you're at the Little Italy Trolley Station, walk straight (same direction your Trolley's going) and turn right. Keep going straight for two blocks until you're between Beech St. and Cedar St. (a restaurant called Indigo Grill should be on your right and a restaurant called Burger Lounge should be across the street on your left). From there turn left and cross the street. Once you're in front of Burger Lounge, the entire street ahead of you is where Little Italy begins. (Map)
If going by foot's a hassle for you, the car directions are here.
Take either the Blue Line or Orange Line Trolley to 12 and Imperial Transit Center. From there take the Green Line Trolley to County Center/Little Italy. (If taking the Trolley from City College or somewhere in Downtown, take the Orange Line Trolley to Santa Fe Depot and take the Green Line Trolley there.
Once you're at the Little Italy Trolley Station, walk straight (same direction your Trolley's going) and turn right. Keep going straight for two blocks until you're between Beech St. and Cedar St. (a restaurant called Indigo Grill should be on your right and a restaurant called Burger Lounge should be across the street on your left). From there turn left and cross the street. Once you're in front of Burger Lounge, the entire street ahead of you is where Little Italy begins. (Map)
If going by foot's a hassle for you, the car directions are here.
Italian Cultural Center of San Diego
The Italian Cultural Center of San Diego is located behind Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Little Italy. It's a non-profit organization for people interested in the Italian culture where their primary goal is to promote the diffusion of Italian culture in all of its varied forms. They hold numerous of activities and give Italian classes as well.
For more information, visit the ICC website
(Directions & Website)
The Italian Cultural Center of San Diego is located behind Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Little Italy. It's a non-profit organization for people interested in the Italian culture where their primary goal is to promote the diffusion of Italian culture in all of its varied forms. They hold numerous of activities and give Italian classes as well.
For more information, visit the ICC website
(Directions & Website)
House of Italy
The House of Italy is located in the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages at Balboa Park. It's a place where people of Italian heritage get together and practice their traditions and customs while sharing it with people of Italian descent or people who are interested in the Italian culture and language. They hold numerous of activities and festivities throughout the year such as an Ethnic Food Fair, an International Christmas Festival and monthly dinner meetings.
For more information, visit the House of Italy website.
(Directions & Website)
The House of Italy is located in the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages at Balboa Park. It's a place where people of Italian heritage get together and practice their traditions and customs while sharing it with people of Italian descent or people who are interested in the Italian culture and language. They hold numerous of activities and festivities throughout the year such as an Ethnic Food Fair, an International Christmas Festival and monthly dinner meetings.
For more information, visit the House of Italy website.
(Directions & Website)
San Diego Italian Film Festival
The San Diego Italian Film Festival (SDIFF) has an ambitious goal: To make San Diego a high spot for Italian culture. They show numerous of different types of Italian films throughout San Diego as well as host some events.
For more information, visit the SDIFF website.
The San Diego Italian Film Festival (SDIFF) has an ambitious goal: To make San Diego a high spot for Italian culture. They show numerous of different types of Italian films throughout San Diego as well as host some events.
For more information, visit the SDIFF website.